Trebonianus Gallus

Trebonianus Gallus (206-August 253) was Roman emperor from 251 to 253, succeeding Decius and Herennius Etruscus and preceding Aemilian.

Biography
Gaius Vibius Afinius Trebonianus was born in 206 in Italy to a family of Etruscan senatorial background, and in 250 he was made governor of Moesia Superior. In June 251, Trebonianus and Hostilian became co-emperors when Decius and Herennius Etruscus died at the Battle of Abrittus in Bulgaria while fighting the Goths, and Gallus had Decius deified. Hostilian died of the plague later in 251, allowing for Trebonianus Gallus to become the sole emperor of the Roman Empire. He ordered a localized persecution of Christians, having Pope Cornelius martyred at Civitavecchia and exiling Pope Lucius I. Gallus was soon eclipsed in power by Aemilian, the Governor of Moesia, who defeated the Scythians as they ravaged the eastern regions of the empire. In August 253, Aemilian was acclaimed as the new emperor by the army, and Gallus called on Roman and Gallic legions to assist him in the upcoming battle. His army went over to Aemilian, however, and he was killed by his own men at Interamna (Terni, Umbria).